Carol Ann (MacDonald) Duthie was a true pioneer from the 1950’s through the 1970’s breaking down barriers through sport. She was a talented athlete participating in tennis, volleyball and basketball, but was best known for her participation in water skiing. Carol Ann started competing at the age of 13 and in 1951 competed in the second-ever World Water Skiing Championships at Cypress Gardens, winning Bronze in the Junior Girl's Slalom. By the time she was 14 years old Carol Ann won the first of her five Ontario women’s titles and in 1953 she was almost unbeatable, winning three Gold and a Bronze in jump.  

Carol Ann won a number of international water-skiing championships in North America, Mexico, and the United States. Carol Ann was the Junior Girl’s World Water Skiing Champion in 1953 and won the National Women’s title in 1954.  As the sport of waterskiing has changed so much over the years it is difficult to relate her performances with today’s competitors but Carol Ann was routinely jumping 50 feet and tricking 400 points during her day and was the first Canadian to do toe-turns in competition. Carol Ann earned a Bachelor of Physical Health Education and used her degree to coach and inspire a generation of young girls with her passion for sports.